The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has urged the government to cease awarding projects to financially incapable state-owned companies and instead involve private companies.
MDP President Abdulla Shahid, a former Foreign Minister under the previous MDP government, voiced strong concerns regarding the current administration's practice of allocating projects to government-owned entities over private businesses.
Shahid argues that this policy has severely impacted income opportunities for small and medium enterprises, leading to a decline in the public's livelihoods and a reduction in the money circulating within the economy.
ރަށްރަށުގައި ސަރުކާރުން ކުރިޔަށް ގެންދާ ތަރައްޤީގެ މަޝްރޫޢުތައް އަމިއްލަ ކުންފުނިތަކާއި ހަވާލު ނުކޮށް, ދައުލަތުގެ ކުންފުނިތަކަށް އެކަނި މަޝްރޫޢުތައް ހަވާލު ކުރަމުންދާ ދިއުމުގެ ނަތީޖާއެއްގެ ގޮތުން ކުދި އަދި މެދުފަންތީގެ ކުންފުނިތަކަށް އާމްދަނީ ލިބޭނެ މަގުތައް ބަންދުވެ،…
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) August 14, 2025
In a post on X, Shahid stated, "At this critical juncture, I urge the Maldivian government to stop awarding development projects to state-owned companies that lack financial capacity and make projects available to private companies to save the common man from this predicament."
This statement was made during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's recent visit to Baa Atoll, where several projects, including the construction of classrooms and hospital buildings, were awarded to state-owned companies like Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) and Road Development Corporation (RDC). The government has also recently assigned other projects to these same companies.
Historically, private companies were typically contracted for the construction, renovation, and other works related to classrooms. A number of business owners have expressed significant concern and complaints about the inability of private companies to secure these projects, citing negative impacts on their businesses.